Mad Jester

Fifth.. Fear and Thunder

After that, I don't remember the in between, but I had been his servant for about two months. When he needed supplies, he would send me out to go fetch them without anyone knowing who I was. Always giving the same warning,

" Don't think I won't find you if you run off!" Over and over again. It was when I was sent out for the third time that things became clear. His acts became slower and more spread out. Less children and young teens started to be victimized and he never harmed me nor did yell at me. Infact, he was very kind and treated me favorably with small gestures of affection. Like a pat on my back or a ruffle of my curly hair. It was still very questionable and confusing.

I remember sitting in the small room he gave me, the iron collar still clasped around my neck as it connected to a chain that, on the other end, clasped around the leg of the bed so I wouldn't escape, but why would I? He treated me a lot better than my own parents did and comforted me when I felt pathetic and small. Most of all, I never wore that ugly, annoying, fake, "hero's mask" I wore around the village when I wanted to be brave and "hero-like".

Anyways, I sat on my bed one night during the spring showers. Jackson or Jackal, as he told me, went out for another night for victims. So I was left alone until he came back with someone. That was until the flashing and sudden loud crashing and booming began. I yelped and tensed with fear. Covering my ears, feeling the tears gliding down from my blue eyes again as my chest tightened painfully and my breath quickly sped with the rapid thumping of my frightened heart. If only I had my mask on, I wouldn't be afraid. I tried waiting it out, but the thunder storm only got worse. Then I screamed. I screamed like one of Jackal's victims if not a crying banshee. Every time the thunder roared my body shook. Every time the lightning flashed I curled into the corner I hid in and pressed my hands against my ears. For a while I thought I was gonna die of a heart attack.

Suddenly arms wrapped around my violently shaking form and pulled me close. The warm sensation and gently beating heart soothed me.

"I'm sorry.." I looked up and saw an unfamiliar face, but I recognized the lime green eyes I was familiar with.

"J-Jackson?.." I sobbed out. He only hugged me tighter. Then I noticed his mask on the floor some ways away. His mask had fallen off.

"I'm so sorry.. Aiden.. I'm so so sorry.." He mumbled, moving one hand to the back of my head and the other to my back as he tucked my shaking body into his chest. When I looked up with teary eyes, he seemed human. His pale-ish face was soft yet still defined. His now life filled lime green eyes rained real tears, not just the ones on his mask. For the first time I saw his true identity, I saw Jackson the person, Not Jackson or Jackal the Mad Jester. At that moment I truly felt wanted, I felt loved, so I cried into his blue and black checkered flannel as I felt his chin rest on my head. "Shhh.. It's okay. It's okay now Aiden.. I'm here little brother.. I'm here.." He hushed fondly. He called me little brother. Loving me that much. I felt special.

"B-big brother.." I wept, " B-big brother i-it's so scary!" He brushed his thumbs over my freckled cheeks, hushing me softly.

"There, there my Aiden, my Little Flame.. Don't play hero anymore.. After all.." He moved his chin to rest on my shoulder and whispered in my ear. "You were never a real hero in the first place~" I froze, practically feeling the teasingly playful grin tugging on his lips as he sang those words. "No matter how many times you put on that little facade. I'll always come back for you~ My little brother~" He purred. Turning me around so my back was pressed against his chest as he caged me securely in his arms and nuzzled my cheek with his. "My sweet sweet little brother~.."

Yes, he really was my big brother. As I was his little brother..

...